Chapter 1435 Chasers

"I didn't bully her."

"Really, I can't possibly beat her up again, right? We are all artists, artists!"

When Giselle was crying, Huai Shi was scratching her head and explaining to Ai Qing: "We just had a friendly exchange. I also found out a lot of flaws in her ability, and she wants to say thank you to me. Woolen cloth."

"oh?"

Ai Qing looked at Giselle and said, "Her expression doesn't look like she wants to say thank you to you."

"Good medicine tastes bitter, but honest advice offends the ears."

Huai Shi said loudly: "I even taught her to sing! She can already sing Little Star."

"Really?"

Francisco's eyes lit up as he was comforting his companions, and he was overjoyed. Wouldn't he be able to exchange music with Giselle in the future?

Is there such a good thing?

He said: "Thank you!"

"look."

Huai Shi spread her hands innocently to Ai Qing, I have already told you.

Ai Qing looked at him with a confused expression for a long time, then nodded clearly: "Although I don't know what happened, what you said... is quite normal."

Then why do you look so dirty!

Huaishi covered her face.

I feel like this can't be explained clearly.

Ai Qing, on the other hand, looked at Huai Shi's current appearance and saw nothing haggard or tired, and asked, "Is everything okay?"

"Well, in excellent condition."

Huai Shi nodded and looked at Francisco: "So, what's next? A duel between musicians? I agreed in advance that I don't know how to play the accordion."

"No need, I can't play the cello either."

After Francisco finished comforting Giselle, he couldn't help but shake his head: "Mr. Paganini told me that purely in terms of cello, you are enough to serve as the principal of the bass section of the association."

"I've heard your performance."

He told Huai Shi frankly: "To be honest, I have no confidence in winning you."

Huai Shi asked: "Then, do you want to surrender?"

Francisco shook his head decisively: "Let me explain in advance that this is purely a stubborn resistance. It doesn't matter if you think you are ignorant. However, as long as you can play this piece of music, I will admit defeat.

It doesn’t matter how you want to talk about it then. "

As he spoke, he reached out and unbuttoned his collar in front of Huai Shi. Then, like pulling a zipper, he tore open his skin and ribs, and took out a small square from his beating heart.

The moment the thumb-sized metal cube appeared, everyone's eyes began to shake faintly, and their consciousness drifted. And when the blocks were unraveled layer by layer, what fell into his hands was a stack of broken and ancient pieces of music.

Ai Qing has already moved her eyes.

She couldn't see the characters clearly and didn't want to read more.

It's just that one can instinctively feel the source of matter wrapped around it, or in other words, it has formed a substantial obsession, such a pure curse!

She frowned.

Huai Shi also frowned.

This is a...

"Violin sheet music?"

Huaishi pinched her chin.

It feels a bit troublesome.

Even though the shapes are the same and there doesn't seem to be much difference, the cello and the violin are still two different instruments.

Even if the music score is the same, there are treble and bass. Although there is no distinction between the two, in terms of performance, they can be said to be in different fields.

Fortunately, Huai Shi already had a lot of experience when he gave guidance to Yuan Yuan before.

Refusal was not even considered.

He held the music score and stared at the changing movements on it. After a long time, he suddenly asked: "Can I use the cello? However, many melodies require slight changes and adjustments in the range."

"As long as it's this score."

Seeing that he agreed, Francisco immediately breathed a sigh of relief, but still warned cautiously: "Let me tell you first, it has very harsh conditions for performers, and once it starts, the consequences of failure will be serious. If you are not sure, you can refuse .

We also think of other solutions. "

Huai Shi didn't answer, just looked at the music in his hand, and suddenly asked: "Is this score very important to you?"

Francisco said nothing.

Huai Shi didn't ask any more questions, and just read silently. After a long time, he suddenly looked to his side: "Can I borrow the concert hall?"

In the corner, the person in charge who appeared at some unknown time has been waiting for a long time.

Hearing this, joy and expectation appeared on the old face.

"Everything is ready and waiting for your arrival at any time, Your Excellency."

Three minutes later, the door of the concert hall slowly opened.

On the spotless stage, everything has been prepared.

The preparation was impeccable.

The person in charge looked at the empty seats with regret and sighed silently. It's a pity that the time was too short and there was no audience, otherwise I could have gathered enough old friends to enjoy this performance...

"No, that's fine."

Huai Shi waved her hands indifferently, took two steps, and looked at Ai Qing behind her with confusion.

She was still standing outside the door, seemingly not wanting to watch.

"Aren't you coming?"

"No, you go ahead. There won't be any surprises anyway." Ai Qing said, "I just have time. I plan to have a good talk with Miss Giselle."

Although she didn't say it explicitly, she still seemed to be resistant to the concert hall.

Don't want to get close.

"Then I'll be back soon."

Huai Shi waved and walked towards the bandstand.

The door closed behind him.

Under the focused light, the dark movement seemed to come alive. Thousands of dark auras extended from it and had already occupied the entire concert hall, causing Huai Shi's movements to stagnate.

Still, underestimated.

The obsession and curse contained in this piece of music.

Even at the front of the auditorium, Francisco was a little restless, biting his nails, and even more nervous than Huai Shi himself.

He had never seen this piece of music so active.

It's violent, as if the strange thing inside is trying to break free from its shackles and choose people to devour.

The terrifying chill was thick.

It seemed as if an invisible hand stretched out from the darkness behind him, caressing his cheek, pulling his soul, and murmuring little by little.

come over! come over!

the familiar voice called.

towards him.

--Come here!

Francisco shook his head: "How about..."

"let's start."

Huai Shi sat on the chair, held the bow of the cello, and stared at the music in front of her.

Also, after those flowing notes, there is a cold face cast towards this place.

It's like measuring the qualifications of the visitor.

Just across the incomplete piece of music, as if across the door of death, the obsession and madness of the dead and the skills and talents of the living are facing each other.

The obsessions and curses latent in the music are awakening.

The music composed of the souls of the dead opens empty eyes and looks at its challengers.

At that moment, Huai Shi smiled and sounded the first note.

The dead silence was broken at this moment, and the shrill and sharp strings, as if crying for blood, rose from Huai Shi's hand, penetrating Francisco's body like a sharp knife.

He was 'pinned' to the audience seat.

The disaster musician's instinct took control of his body, causing him to widen his eyes, give up hesitation, and concentrate on witnessing the performance performed by the soul!

He chewed his nails subconsciously, forgetting that his fingers were dripping with blood.

The pupils of his eyes reflected the performer under the spotlight.

Forgot to breathe.

"It's so beautiful..."

That burning soul is like the sun!

Also, the brilliant light that stung his eyes...

When the shrill sound that was like ravaging the eardrums dissipated, a low melody like a cry sounded from the sound of the piano box, and the sound of nothingness turned into a torrent, swallowing up everything.

Covering the entire concert hall.

The suffocation, like falling into a deep pool, followed closely, etching the painful meaning contained in it into the souls of every listener, and the one who bore the brunt...

It's the player!

In the sad and sad melody, Huai Shi has forgotten where he is.

In a daze, he seemed to see the silent turning of the music in front of him. From the interpretation of the melody, the outline of nothingness emerged from it, entangled around him like a greedy and cruel evil spirit.

Little by little, it covered his body.

It's like a sacrifice!

Asking the soul of the performer.

The chaotic and strange notes overlap and gather in the soul, causing pain and torture, bringing an insatiable hunger and thirst.

it says:

Give me your eyes!

The performance never stopped, and there was not even the slightest hesitation or pause. The mournful melody moved forward and gave the most straightforward response.

Take it!

At that moment, the empty melody seemed to be given life.

The empty concert hall seemed so crowded at the moment.

Right at the front, Francisco clearly felt that he was alone, but it became so crowded here. It seems that countless viewers cast their eyes from the end of death.

Witnessing all this...

But Huaishi has disappeared.

The eyes are empty.

The melody played by the cello has been given life, and at the cost of abandoning the eyes, the second movement begins!

The hysterical joy and fanaticism, from the interweaving of trills and continuous bows, interpret the crazy joy in the composer's twisted soul, just like opening the door to hell.

In the void, a response chant came.

Behind Zi Huai's poems, incomplete outlines emerge one after another, and they focus and fanatically sing - the musicians who were buried under this movement, and the audience who rushed to the end while listening, are returning step by step , join in this hearty and enthusiastic performance.

And the price is——

Right foot.

Huai Shi's movements continued, and the playing never stopped. He smiled, immersed in the playing, and concentrated on it. He didn't even care when he lost his right foot.

Take it!

In the audience, Francisco's expression was distorted.

I feel as if my soul is split.

Half of it is the happiness and joy of being lucky enough to listen to the wonderful performance, but the other half is the compassion and regret for Huai Shi.

sorry Sorry sorry.

This is all my fault!

But, I can't stop anymore.

That piece of music will constantly ask for more from the performer, using it to fill and complete itself, until the performer loses everything and is unable to survive.

Like a demon.

But isn’t that what the so-called art is? This is what the so-called disaster musician should be like!

He trembled, looked up at the figure on the stage with longing.

Immerse yourself in the melody he plays, the sonorous sound like the roar of steel, the majestic croon like the rotation of heaven and earth, and even burn all the heroic tunes.

At that moment, the hungry movement stretched out its palm again.

Give me your heart!

Huaishi's poem is speechless, as if it has not been heard. On the incomplete face, there is a silent grin. The movements never stop at all, and the full interpretation completes the unfinished melody.

Take it!

As a result, a thunderous sound burst out from the performance, and the ethereal melody was given a heart, like a burning giant, striding forward during the interpretation.

Towards death and the unknown end, he roared to the world.

In the empty concert hall, figures emerged one after another, and the viewers from hell were attracted by this distant call.

And just at the very back of the auditorium, a chair appeared silently. The skinny man on the chair propped up his chin and listened intently.

Next to him, the person in charge noticed his back and was shocked. He wanted to speak, but saw the unhappy look he cast.

A skeletal finger was raised slightly.

"Shh!"

keep quiet.

Because the performance at the cost of life is continuing!

And at that moment, the curse in the music stretched out its hand for the last time.

Give me your soul!

The short interval between the passages passed by in a flash, and the passionate and crazy performance continued.

Huai Shi still lowered his head without any pause, and his mutilated face seemed to be laughing silently.

The answer is——

——Take it!

At this moment, darkness visible to the naked eye poured out from the crack in the door of the performance hall.

The entire huge building has been sealed by layers of secret rituals, suppressing and preserving the spreading melody. If such a close distance allowed one ten thousandth of the madness contained in it to leak out, I'm afraid the command bureau would sound the alarm immediately.

Even through the door, one can detect the strange and terrifying changes.

But I can't imagine...

What is happening!

In the reception room, Giselle was already restless and unable to concentrate on Ai Qing's inquiries and negotiation terms. She looked in the direction of the concert hall from time to time.

When Ai Qing calmly turned the page again, Giselle couldn't suppress her curiosity and confusion: "Aren't you worried at all?

Francisco's piece of music has already devoured the souls of no less than six disaster musicians. It was a trap! Only Francesco, being a fool, thought there was any hope of its completion.

But after more than ten years, he has looked for countless people, but no one can complete the performance! "

"What does that have to do with me?"

Ai Qing asked, "I'm not the one playing, so worrying is useless. Besides, why should I worry?"

"..."

Giselle is dull and incomprehensible.

"Could it be that...you hate him?"

"Yeah, it's annoying. Every time I see him, I feel troublesome. Every time I get dumped by him, I feel a headache. When talking to him, I can't suppress my temper.

Just seeing that smug face makes me want to sneer at him.

From the bottom of my heart, I don’t understand why there are such people in the world. "

Ai Qing answered calmly: "Why, do you like him?"

Giselle was speechless.

But there was no denying that even at this moment, he was worried about Francisco's obsession, but at the same time, he was also vaguely worried about the opponent who had just defeated him twice and tortured him for half an hour.

It’s not because I’m worried about possible retaliation from the Kingdom of Heaven genealogy in the future, nor is it because I’m afraid that the woman in front of me will be hostile to me because of this…

It's just that I couldn't bear to see him seeking his own death.

She felt there must be something wrong with her.

"There is nothing more cruel than art. Miss Giselle, as a doomsday painter, you should have a deep understanding of it."

Ai Qing looked at her and said calmly: "Whether it is music or painting, they are not as beautiful as they appear. On the contrary, the enjoyment you can get from them is a hundred times less than the torture you suffer.

After putting in all your efforts, suffering from meditation, and practicing day after day, you still can't take a step forward... You should be familiar with that kind of despair. "

Giselle closed her eyes.

The knuckles have turned white from pinching.

True enough.

She couldn't argue.

Those who are loved by art are just wretches cursed by art.

Immersed in the so-called aesthetics and art, running and chasing selflessly, when I came back to my senses, I found that I had nothing.

But art is still so cold and shows no mercy.

Ai Qing once felt the same pain.

After Huaishi became her mother's student.

She finally understood why her mother refused to teach her the cello...

From the time I could remember my own name, I looked forward to my mother's appearance. I practiced hard and diligently day after day, thinking that I had achieved something and was proud of myself.

She received a steady stream of trophies and praises. Every smiling face, every compliment and applause gave her some kind of illusion - ah, she was loved by art.

perhaps.

Maybe so?

However, there must be some people who will be favored more.

When she had been practicing the cello for four or five years in private and was easily surpassed by Huai Shi in two or three months, she finally felt the helpless despair.

The love he received from his mother, the position he received in his family, and his most proud musical talent were all surpassed by that guy.

All he got was the 'first' that Huai Shi pretended to give up in order to please himself.

A pathetic consolation prize.

Even though her mother died suddenly, Huai Shi only mastered the basics, but after so many years, she still relied on self-study and reached this level without anyone's guidance.

If I were still the same as before, I would be so jealous that I would go crazy, right?

However, no matter how disgusted and resistant I am, whenever I recall the past, all I can think of is that childish smiling face in the sun. Holding the bow so poorly and holding the instrument that was too big, he showed off the skills he had just learned.

Staring so expectantly.

Towards myself...

Ai Qing lowered her eyes and sighed silently.

"Even though it's so painful, you still love me so much, right?"

In contrast, if you have learned to give up, maybe you have never had the opportunity to step into such a field from the beginning, right?

"Don't worry, Miss Giselle." She turned over a page that she had not read at all, as if saying to herself: "I am confident about how annoying he is."

At that moment, the tiny door was unable to restrain the passionate flow from the soul.

A high-pitched and mighty melody burst out from the darkness.

Here, sing to the world!

Even if the world kisses me painfully...

The meaning of horror and weirdness has disappeared from the melody. Huaishi has broken away from the constraints of the score and filled in the unfinished territory of the creator.

Play a new movement with your own soul.

Just like in a dark and desolate world, the huge sun disc slowly rises, casting a dazzling and blazing light. As the strings vibrated, the performance continued.

Even though everything has been taken away.

Eyes, limbs, lungs, heart, and even soul!

Huai Shi has nothing left.

But in Francisco's gaze, it seemed that he could see the corpses of the deceased dancing on the stage. Even if everything was taken away, the performance never stopped!

No, precisely because everything was taken away, this performance truly reached its climax!

take it!

Take it all, even if I lose everything, I will still chase.

I will play! I will sing!

Even if you lose your soul!

But now, what is left here?

And what is it that plays all this?

What is it that you hear?

Francisco scratched his face, blood dripping from it, but he couldn't feel the pain because he was already involved in the melody.

Immersed in this fervent and solemn torrent.

Forget where you are.

As if running, abandoning everything, chasing selflessly...

Until my soul is burned to ashes in the flame of Huaishi.

He finally saw what was waiting for him at the end of the road! But no matter how hard I try and how much I pursue, I can never get close, I can never cross this desperate distance...

But he had forgotten despair and hesitation.

Just running, running.

Even though I lost all my strength, I didn't feel scared.

Satisfied, this painful and long dream has come to an end.

The spotlight slowly dimmed as the last remnants faded into the darkness.

In the dead silence, there was a storm of applause.

Not only Francisco woke up from his dream, but also in the empty concert hall, the departed souls, the musicians watching from hell, and the remaining obsessions in the movement...

At this moment, everyone unreservedly gave their applause and admiration to this performance that originated from desire and pursuit.

cheer.

"I just said he has this talent, hahaha, I just said it."

At the back of the auditorium, the belated spectators clapped and were overjoyed: "Although it's still far behind me, but at least it's better than those guys who just wait up the time to make up the numbers, right?"

The person in charge, who was sweating profusely, lowered his head next to him.

I dare not agree or speak.

It wasn't until the shadow of the chair disappeared that he slowly breathed a sigh of relief and sat down on the chair next to him, giving the performer his belated appreciation.

And on that empty chair, the outline of nothingness emerged again.

Eyes, legs, hands, heart, and even soul...

As the movement regained its incompleteness, everything about Huai Shi returned to its completeness.

Everything I just experienced seemed like just a dream.

However, when recalling everything in that fantasy dream, people can't help but smile: "It was such an enjoyable trip."

Want to do it again.

Even if he is too tired to hold the bow tightly.

But such a wonderful experience has fascinated him deeply.

Unfortunately, the music score in front of him no longer responded to him. The movement originally completed by the essence of Huai Shi has disappeared without a trace.

It was the obsession with the movement itself that rejected his completion.

This made Huai Shi scratch his head in confusion and couldn't figure it out.

Did you not do enough?

Still something is wrong?

I can't figure it out!

"Sure enough, it's just like what Paganini said."

Francisco stroked the piece of music returned to his hands and said with emotion: "You have the ability to complete it, Mr. Huaishi, thank you."

He hesitated for a long time, and finally asked: "What do you think this piece of music...is about?"

"Well……"

Huai Shi pondered for a moment, nodded and replied: "I think it's probably a blessing."

Francisco was stunned.

"Yes, blessing."

Huai Shi said with certainty: "Blessings and expectations are like a curse, but such obsession is too exaggerated. It is natural that it will make people scared.

However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the fact that there is blessing in it! "

He stared at the manuscript in Francisco's hand and sighed silently.

It was as if I could hear the soul contained in it roaring in my ears again.

Go chase!

Don't hesitate any longer.

Overcome despair, endure torture, and move toward the future, even if you lose everything.

Even if there is nothing at the end of the road.

Because the so-called road of pursuit is just like this, destined to be bumpy and meaningless. It may only lead to cliffs and destruction, which is meaningless.

But as far as chasing is concerned, chasing itself is already the whole meaning.

So, don't be afraid, don't be hesitant.

Don't hesitate, latecomers, hurry up and start the journey!

Because one day, you will also be able to appreciate such vast scenery!

At this moment of sudden realization, Francisco burst into tears.

"Who is his author?" Huai Shi asked curiously.

"It's my teacher."

Francisco closed his eyes and answered tremblingly: "Among the many disciples, he was the only one who left this name to me. I originally thought he... I originally doubted..."

He may have been disappointed with himself.

Such conjectures have surfaced countless times in the sleepless nights.

But now, when the mystery was revealed, he felt even more regretful.

Why didn't I wake up to this earlier?

Why, when the teacher was dying, could I not give the answer personally? !

"..."

After a long silence, Huai Shi sighed: "Sorry, it seems I did something unnecessary."

Perhaps this is why the movement refuses to complete the passage on its own.

This movement only makes sense if Francisco himself completes it.

The creator of the movement hopes that his proudest student can complete his legacy.

He hopes that Francisco in the future can surpass himself!

This is the legacy left by the pursuers.

"It doesn't matter."

Francisco shook his head, wiped away his embarrassed tears, and smiled slightly: "Even if you already know the answer, the chase is still fun, isn't it?"

"Thank you, Huai Shi."

He carefully put away the score, "I will confirm it myself."

One day...

He will go where the teachers have never gone and see the scenery they have never seen.

Just like those chasers in the past.

Just like the pursuers who are about to set off in the future.

He couldn't wait.

My dream was to go to Repin.

To this day, I still have deep envy and admiration for those paintings that are full of genius and beauty, as well as a small, unspeakable jealousy.

Why can't I?

Maybe it's because I've given up.

Maybe Repin isn't as good as I thought, or maybe I'm just not the material.

But I still dream about it sometimes.

But dreaming is a good thing, I think so.